Page 252 of Small Town Firsts

Even seated, his presence is commanding. He stands to greet us. “You must be the mysterious Emmy I’ve heard so much about.”

He gives me a once-over, and I return the favor. Zach is made up of long lines and compact muscles, an obvious athlete. He’s taller than I thought he’d be, but still shorter than Gabe; though I think everyone is shorter than the bear of a man to my left. His dark hair is woven into tight braids which are secured with an elastic at the base of his neck. With his wide smile and friendly eyes, I can instantly tell he’s good people.

“That’s me,” I say, suddenly feeling shy. “It’s um... it’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s good to meet you, too. Now, let’s eat. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“Workouts were brutal this morning,” he says, rounding the table so we can walk together.

“Do you play football, too?”

“Yes,” Zach says, but Gabe’s voice spills over his.

“No.”

They share a laugh, leaving me to stare between them in confusion.

Zach shrugs. “It’s called football everywhere on earth except here.”

“Be that as it may, in the great state of Georgia, it’s...”

“Soccer,” Zach mumbles begrudgingly.

“Oh!” Understanding dawns. “I get it!”

Zach gives me an amused look before herding us into line. The guys grab enough food to feed a family of four, while I settle on a kolache with a fruit cup.

We bypass the table Zach was at when we came in and cluster into a smaller, more intimate table instead. They both dig into their meals, while I pick at my fruit. I feel strangely comfortablewith the two of them, but the events of class still weigh on my mind.

Gabe finishes his first sandwich before pinning me with a look. “About earlier?”

I sigh. “I was hoping you had forgotten.”

Zach rolls his lips in to smother a laugh.

“Go ahead and say it, babe.”

“An elephant never forgets.”

Gabe gives an exaggerated, dry laugh. “Ha-ha. Never gets old.”

“You love it.”

“I love you; Itolerateyour smartass mouth.”

“Now I know you’re lying. Youreally lovemy smartass mouth.”

“Sure, when it’s stuffed full of my dick.”

“Too true,” Zach muses.

I’ve never been around this kind of PDA. But if I’m being honest... I like it.

“Now hush,” Gabe scolds. “Emmy here was about to tell me why she was upset when I ran into her earlier.”

“I just...” I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

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